First Gen Corp. and ABS-CBN Foundation Inc. (AFI) have organized an 18-member team of citizen scientists in Lobo, Batangas as an additional initiative in support of a long-term program helping preserve the marine ecosystem at the Verde Island Passage (VIP).
The VIP is a waterway known as the center of shore-fish biodiversity located between Luzon and Mindoro.
First Gen and AFI have integrated the citizen scientist approach into the Lobo Reef Monitoring Program, a component of the wider Center of Center Program it initiated 20 years ago for the VIP’s marine ecosystem protection.
Ramon Araneta, First Gen vice president for external affairs and security, said the deployment of citizen scientists act as force multipliers in monitoring and gathering valuable data in reefs near and around the Lobo marine protected areas.
The data serve as inputs in drawing up effective and regenerative conservation measures and policies for the VIP.
First Gen said the citizen scientists, together with the De La Salle University’s Bro. Alfred Shields Ocean Research Center, helped develop ALWAN, a low-cost, coral reef monitoring method that allows coastal communities to collect timely information on the health of their coral reefs.
Araneta said the citizen science approach empowers community members to be part of scientific expeditions that collect data more frequently and extensively even without the presence of research professionals.
Araneta also said citizen scientists helped establish in Lobo restricted or no-access zones designated to protect the ecosystem of the town being promoted at the same time as an ecotourism destination by First Gen and AFI.
Citizen scientists also provide data about areas of concern, such as the potential impact of climate change and local infrastructure development on water quality to enhance Lobo’s Coastal Resource Management Plan and support the town’s development programs by identifying and delineating areas suitable for recreational and tourism activities like scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking and swimming.
The previous May, First Gen and AFI signed a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of Energy to harmonize efforts for the VIP’s protection with the country’s clean energy transition program.
First Gen generates power capacity of 3,668.2 megawatts on a portfolio using natural gas, geothermal, hydroelectric, wind and solar technologies.
